Apple has reached a $95 million settlement in a class-action lawsuit alleging its virtual assistant, Siri, secretly recorded user conversations without consent. The lawsuit, filed in a California federal court, claimed Apple violated user privacy by activating Siri even when users didn’t use the “Hey, Siri” trigger phrase.
Table Content:
Siri’s Undisclosed Recordings: A Breach of Privacy?
The lawsuit alleged that Siri recorded conversations on iPhones and other Apple devices for over a decade, even when users didn’t intentionally activate the virtual assistant. These recordings, the lawsuit contended, were then shared with advertisers to target consumers with personalized ads based on their conversations. This practice directly contradicted Apple’s public commitment to user privacy, a principle often championed by CEO Tim Cook.
Settlement Details and Eligibility
While denying any wrongdoing, Apple agreed to a $95 million settlement to resolve the case. Pending approval by U.S. District Judge Jeffrey White, eligible consumers who owned specific Apple devices between September 17, 2014, and the end of 2023 can file claims. Compensation is capped at $20 per device, with a maximum of five devices per claimant. The final payout amount may vary depending on the number of claims filed. Court documents estimate that only a small percentage (3-5%) of eligible users are expected to participate in the claim process.
Financial Implications and Legal Fees
The $95 million settlement represents a small fraction of Apple’s profits since September 2014, estimated at $705 billion. It also falls significantly short of the potential $1.5 billion in damages Apple could have faced if found guilty of violating wiretapping and privacy laws at trial. Attorneys representing consumers in the case are seeking up to $29.6 million in legal fees and expenses from the settlement fund.
Conclusion: A Costly Lesson in Privacy Protection
The settlement underscores the growing concern surrounding digital privacy and the potential misuse of voice assistant technology. While Apple maintains its commitment to user privacy, this case serves as a reminder of the importance of transparency and informed consent in the collection and use of personal data. The settlement’s impact on future development and deployment of voice assistants remains to be seen.
